Cylindrical lock with associated key



Nov. 26, 1968 E. SCHWEGLER CYLINDRICAL LOCK WITH ASSOCIATED KEY 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed April 25, 1966 EAwlva JWEgb-R INVENTQR Nov. 26, 1968 E, SCHWEGLER 3,412,588

CYLINDRICAL LOCK WITH ASSOCIATED KEY Filed April 25, 1966 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 FIG. 3

E win .Qkwglera INVENTOR BY M w United States Patent 3,412,588 CYLINDRICAL LOCK WITH ASSOCIATED KEY Edwin Schwegler, Wetzikon, Switzerland, assignor to Bauer AG., Wetzikon, Switzerland, a corporation of Switzerland Filed Apr. 25, 1966, Ser. No. 544,730 Claims priority, application Switzerland, Apr. 29, 1965, 5,925/ 65 13 Claims. (Oi. 70-358) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A cylinder lock and key wherein an inner cylinder is rotatable within an outer cylinder; the outer cylinder has one or more rows of tumbler pin bores extending longitudinally of the axes of the cylinders with each row lying in a common plane and with additional rows of tumbler pin bores extending longitudinally of the axes of the cylinders and lying in planes inclined with respect to said common plane; the inner cylinder is provided with rows of locking bolt bores with its bores so arranged that there is a locking pin bore in alignment with each tumbler pin bore in a given rotative position of the inner cylinder with respect to the outer cylinder; an inwardly spring biased tumbler pin is provided in each tumbler pin bore and a cooperating lock bolt is arranged in each locking bolt bore; the spring biased tumbler pin causes the locking bolt to preclude rotation of the inner cylinder with respect to the outer cylinder until a key provided with specifically located recesses on its surface is inserted in a key slot provided in the inner cylinder and effects displacement of the tumbler pins by the locking bolts.

The present invention relates to an improved cylinder lock and its associated key, such lock being of the type wherein an inner cylinder or plug provided with a keyguide is rotatably mounted in an outer cylinder. The inventive cylinder lock further incorporates locking bolts and spring-loaded tumbler pins or bolts operably associated with the former which are displaceably mounted in bores extending radially of the lengthwise axis of the inner cylinder. These bores are arranged in a row in side by side or juxtapositioned relationship in at least one plane which can contain or else extends substantially parallel to the aforesaid axis of the inner cylinder. Such plane, when the key is inserted, extends substantially perpendicular to the work or effective surface of the key provided with recesses for the engagement of the aforementioned locking bolts.

In known cylinder locks of this type, the drawback exists that the recesses provided at the effective or work surfaces of the key and with which engage the locking bolts displaceably mounted at the inner cylinder when the key is inserted in the key-guide, can be relatively easily applied to a double or passkey by means of a normal borer or even with only a file. This is so because the axes of the bores of the inner cylinder, when the key is inserted, extend perpendicular to the associated effective key surfaces. Therefore, the security of such a cylinder lock is considerably impaired.

A further disadvantage of known cylinder locks resides in the fact that, with a given length of the cylinder only a limited number of combination possibilities are available when setting up or fitting the cylinder lock and the different associated keys for various users, that is, for the so-called permutation of such cylinder lock. In this regard, it must also be recognized that to obtain these different combinations, a number of bolts must be eliminated which considerably reduces lock security.

In order to overcome such drawbacks it has been pro- 3,412,588 Patented Nov. 26, 1968 posed for a cylinder lock whose rotatable inner cylinder or plug possesses bores arranged in a row next to one another in two axial planes, to construct the effective portion of the key in such a manner that at both sides of a longitudinal central plane extending lengthwise of its cross-section it possesses effective surfaces which are inclined in the opposite direction to this plane and the axial planes of both rows of bores, with inserted key, extend at least approximately perpendicular to both of these surfaces. Admittedly, such construction brings about an increase in the number of combination possibilities existing through permutation insofar as upon depletion of the combination possibilities determined by the available bores and recesses, it is possible by changing the inclination of both effective key surfaces and by carrying out an appropriate change in the key-guide while accommodating such to the new key cross-sectional form, to continue fabrication of the cylinder lock, the remainder of which is unchanged. However, even in this case, apart from the disadvantage that by this technique the original number of possible combinations which are dependent upon one and the same, in other words, unchanged cylinder lock is in no way increased, there also exists the further previously mentioned disadvantage that the recesses can easily be copied at a double or false key, because also in this case the axial planes of both rows of bores, when a key is inserted, are essentially perpendicular to both effective key surfaces.

It is further already known to the art, and for the purpose of increasing the number of possible combinations of the cylinder lock, to provide at the edge of the flat key additional recesses and to arrange bores for such recesses in both cylinders. This measure naturally brings about a so-called real increase in the number of combinations with one and the same cylinder lock; however, in such case there exists the drawback, apart from the unattractive key shape or form, that such key is considerably weakened, therefore easily breaks due to the saw-like recesses applied to the back or ridge of the key.

Accordingly, it is a primary object of the present invention to overcome the disadvantages associated with the previously considered prior art constructions of cylinder locks.

Another important object of this invention is to provide an improved cylinder lock which atfords a high degree of security, is relatively inexpensive to manufacture, highly reliable in operation, and allows for a large number of combination possibilities.

Still a further considerable object of this invention relates to an improved construction of cylinder lock which is extremely functional while providing great security, and wherein the key associated therewith is not only attractive in appearance but of sufficient strength that the tendency for it to break is, as a practical matter, almost completely eliminated.

In order to implement these and still further objects of the present invention, the inventive cylinder lock is manifested by the features that, the inner cylinder or plug is provided at at least one plane extending at an inclination to the effective key surface, when the key is inserted, with additional bores provided with locking bolts and arranged next to one another in a row, said bores being operably associated with bores arranged at the outer cylinder which are provided with tumbler pins. Moreover, at the effective surface of the key additional recesses are provided which are operatively associated with the locking bolts displaceably mounted at the additional bores of the inner cylinder.

Other features, objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent by reference to the following detailed description and drawings in which:

FIGURE 1 is a fragmentary, side view of a preferred embodiment of a cylinder lock designed according to the teachings of the invention and as viewed from below;

FIGURE 2 is a cross-sectional view of the cylinder lock depicted in FIGURE 1, taken along the line IIII thereof; and

FIGURE 3 is an enlarged side view of the key belonging to the cylinder lock of FIGURES 1 and 2.

Describing now the drawings, it is generally remarked that the exemplary embodiment of cylinder lock illustrated therein possesses two rows of main bores 3, 7 arranged in two horizontal axial planes H and H of the inner cylinder or plug 4 and situated at diametrically opposed sides of said inner cylinder, in a manner already known from such frequently used types of cylinder locks. Specifically, in FIGURE 1 depicting the cylinder lock as seen from below, there will be clearly recognized the mouths of four additional bores which are provided in addition to these main bores. These additional bores 1 are downwardly inclined with respect to the horizontal and are arranged at the periphery of the outer cylinder 2.

The main bores 3 of the outer cylinder 2, only shown in FIGURE 1 with dotted lines, are situated in a respective row side by side or adjacent one another in two horizontal axial planes H and H of the inner cylinder 4. As clearly seen by inspecting FIGURE 1, the additional bores 1 have their respective longitudinal axis situated substantially perpendicular to the lengthwise axis A of the inner cylinder 4, and these last-mentioned plans S and S are offset or displaced with respect to this axis A and in relation to the corresponding plans and S of the main bores 3 of the outer cylinder 2.

By referring to FIGURE 2, it will be further recognized that the inner cylinder or plug 4 provided with a downwardly directed key-guide 5 is eccentrically mounted for rotation in the outer cylinder 2 which, in turn, is enclosed by a coaxial circular cylindrical sleeve 6 fixedly connected therewith. The main bores 3 of the outer cylinder 2 have associated therewith aligned and coaxial main bores 7 of the inner cylinder 4. These main bores 7 are thus arranged juxtapositioned in two rows in both the previously mentioned horizontal axial planes H and H of the inner cylinder 4. Such planes H and H with inserted key 8, extend substantially perpendicular to the effective side surfaces or faces 11 of this fiat key 8 (FIGURES 2 and 3) provided with recesses 9 engaged by locking bolts or pins 10 displaceably mounted at the main bores 7. Associated with the locking bolts 10 are tumbler bolts or pins 13 which are subjected to the action of springs 12 and are displaceably mounted in the aligned main bores 3 of the outer cylinder 2. Upon engagement of the locking pins or bolts 10 with the key recesses 9 these tumbler pins 13 v are displaced from their locking position Where they extend into the bores 7 of the rotatable inner cylinder 4, further towards the outside such that they release the inner cylinder or plug 4 so that it can carry out its rotary movement.

Just as the outer cylinder 2 is provided with additional bores 1, also the inner cylinder 4 has additional bores 14 arranged in a respective row next to one another in two different planes E and E which in the depicted embodiment each extend at an angle of inclination of about 45 to a respective one of both effective side surfaces 11 of the inserted key 8. Both of these planes E and E are downwardly inclined with respect to the common horizontal plane H H of the main bores 7. Additional recesses 15 are provided at the side surfaces 11 of the key 8 and with which locking pins or bolts 16 can engage. These locking bolts 16 are displ'aceably mounted in the additional bores 14 of the inner cylinder 4.

In the additional bores 1 of the outer cylinder 2 there are displaceably mounted the tumbler pins 17 cooperating with the locking pins 16. They have the same function as the tumbler pins 13 mounted at the main bores 3, and for this purpose are subjected to the action of springs 18 which bear at their outer respective ends, like the springs 12, at the cylindrical sleeve 6. Both of the separate planes E and E containing the two rows of additional bores 14 intersect both of the planes H and H of the main bores 7 and meet or intersect one another at a straight line (3;; disposed outside of the lengthwise axis A of the inner cylinder 4. Since both of the planes E and B are downwardly inclined at a respective angle of about with respect to the horizontal central plane of the inner cylinder 4 in which both planes H and H of the main bores 7 lie as axial planes of this cylinder, the line of intersection G is situated beneath the axis of rotation A of the inner cylinder 4, yet extends parallel to it, and specifically, within the vertical central plane VV of the blocked inner cylinder 4. The additional bores 1 and 14 and the associated pins 17 and 16 respectively, are here smaller in diameter than the main bores 3 and 7 and their associated pins or bolts 13 and 10 respectively.

Figure 3 depicts the key 8 associated with the previously describcd cylinder lock of FIGURES 1 and 2. It will be recognized that at the work or effective side surfaces 11 of this key 8 there are provided, not only the recesses 9 for the locking pins 10 of the main bores 7, but also the recesses 15 for the locking pins 16 of the additional bores 14 of the inner cylinder 4. On the other hand, both of the ridges of such key 8, and designated by reference character 8a, are smooth throughout their entire length.

So as to be able to introduce the key 8 in one or the other vertical position into the key slot 5 (FIGURE 2) provided at the rotatable inner cylinder 4 there is applied, in the usual manner, to each of the effective side surfaces 11 of the key 8 two rows of such recesses 9 and 15. In each case, one row of recesses 9 and 15 at one of the side surfaces 11 corresponds in arrangement, distribution and configuration to a row of recesses 9 and 15 at the opposite side surface 11 of such key 8.

Since the additional recesses 15, in conformity with the planes E and E of both rows of additional bores 14 which extend at an inclination to both side surfaces 11 of the inserted key 8, also must extend at an inclination to such key side surfaces it is not possible to form or apply additional recesses in order to produce a passkey, by means of a normal borer or with the aid of a file at the side surfaces 11 of such key. Even assuming that by means of an appropriate probe or feeler it is possible to illegally determine the length of the displacement path of the pins, the axial spacing of the additional bores with respect to the cylinder axis, as well as the inclination of such bores to the horizontal, the dilficulty nonetheless still exists of producing the corresponding recesses at the side surfaces of the key which can only be carried out by a special machine, i.e., a special copying machine. As a result, the security of the cylinder lock is increased to a considerable extent. A further advantage resides in the fact that, for instance, through the arrangement of two additional bores in each of the bore planes E and E inclined to the horizontal (compare FIGURES 1 and 2), four additional security measures are available, that is, one in the plane E one in the plane E and two provided by the keyhole. As a result, since there occurs a fourfold engagement of the counterturnbler of the additional bores, that is, twice at the key slot and twice at the tumbler bores when rotating the key 360, an illegal opening of the cylinder lock is rendered very difiicult, so that also in this respect the security of the lock is increased.

A further considerable advantage exists during permutation of the cylinder lock. Owing to the proposed additional bores, it is no longer possible, during permutation,

while assuming the normal length of cylinder, to determine a multiple of the previously possible number of groups. Rather, owing to the proposed measures it is possible to make up to a maximum of eleven additional bores at a cylinder of normal length, that is, with appropriate offsetting with respect to the normal bores, five at one side and six at the other side of the cylinder, whereas if additional bores where previously provided which were directed towards the edge of the key, only four such additional bores were possible.

In contrast to the hitherto known cylinder lock with edge bores, the further advantage exists with the proposed lock that there is effectively prevented the weakening of the edge of the key, which previously occurred due to its saw-like construction necessitated by the recesses required by the prior art. Now, by virtue of the greater strength of the key shaft breaking of the key is much more difficult. Also, owing to the fact that in the inventive structure there is now prevented the previously occurring relatively great wear of the guide slot caused by the sawlike key ridge, there is provided a further advantage.

With respect to the exemplary embodiment of cylinder lock depicted herein, a number of deviations from that physical structure shown schematically in the drawing is readily possible without departing from the spirit and scope of the teachings of the present invention. For instance, instead of two rows of additional bores at both cylinders, with a simpler structure it is also possible to provide the cylinder lock with only a single row of such bores. On the other hand, more than two such rows could be provided, for example four rows of such bores could be arranged at the cylinder: for instance, two rows would be provided at the lower and two at the upper half of the cylinder.

When the key is inserted, the rows of additional bores must not extend at an angle of inclination of 45 to the effective or work surfaces of the key, rather other angles of inclination are also readily possible. It is also by no means absolutely necessary when two or more rows of bores are provided to have all of the planes associated with such rows inclined at the same angle to the effective key surfaces, rather such planes could be arranged at different angles of inclination at one and the same cylinder. The diameter of the additional bores, with the usual cylinder length, are generally dimensioned smaller than the diameter of the main bores for reasons of space. However, it is also equally possible with appropriate constructional configuration of the cylinder lock and with appropriate selection of the spacing or distribution of the individual rows of bores at certain bore spacing, to select the diameter of the additional bores so that they are exactly the same size as that of the main bores, in fact, they could even be larger than such, whereby in the lastmentioned instance, under certain circumstances, it would be possible to consider the additional bores then as the actual main bores.

If two rows of conventional bores are provided at the cylinder which are situated perpendicular to the side surfaces, then it is not mandatory that these rows be arranged in a common axial plans at diametrically opposed locations of the cylinder, rather they can, with appropriately selected cross-sectional configuration of the effective key shaft, also be arranged in different, that is, axial planes which are more or less inclined with respect to one another, whereby in this case it is then also possible to have the planes of the additional rows of bores, as proposed, extend at an inclination to the effective key surfaces. Therefore, irrespective of the manner in which the axial planes of the conventional rows of main bores are arranged with respect to one another, it is always possible to utilize the proposed principle of the additional rows of bores.

Furthermore, the planes of the additional rows of bores must not extend eccentrically to the axis of rotation of the inner cylinder, rather they can also be axial planes of such cylinder.

The offsetting or distance between the axes of the additional bores and those of the main bores must not be of the same size. On the contrary, while utilizing an irregular distribution of the rows of bores, there can be provided a differentiation, even if only a small one, of such individual spacing or offsetting, with the result that there is provided a confusing action when an attempt is made to illegally reproduce a passkey. Thus the production of such passkey is rendered more difficult. Certain deviations, in particular irregular ones, in the inclination of the individual bores or an additional row of bores are also suitable for rendering the production of a passkey more difficult.

Above all, owing to the fact that now, by virtue of the proposed inclination of the bores to the effective key surfaces, the reproduction of a passkey by means of a normal machine or tool is no longer possible, there is provided a considerably increased security of the cylinder lock.

The proposed cylinder lock is therefore not absolutely limited to the exemplary embodiment of physical structure depicted in the drawing, rather various details can be varied within the framework of the teachings of this invention.

While there is shown and described present preferred embodiments of the invention it is to be distinctly understood that the invention is not limited thereto but may be otherwise variously embodied and practised within the scope of the following claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A cylinder lock with associated key in which cylinder lock an inner cylinder provided with key-guide means is rotatably mounted in an outer cylinder and in which cylinder lock tumbler pin means are provided; each of said tumbler pin means comprising a tumbler pin under-portion engageable with an effective key surface and an associated spring-loaded tumbler pin upperportion; said tumbler pin under-portions and said springloaded tumbler pin upper-portions associated therewith are displaceably mounted in bores, including a main bore means in inner and outer cylinders, for sliding movement within said main bore means relatively to the lengthwise axis of said inner cylinder; said main bore means extending substantially radially with respect to the lengthwise axis of the inner cylinder and being arranged in a row extending in the direction of the lengthwise axis of said inner cylinder, with the bores in said row spaced with respect to each other in a first plane; said first plane being parallel to a second plane extending parallel to said lengthwise axis of said inner cylinder; said first plane when the key is inserted in said key-guide means, extending perpendicularly to the effective key surface of the key-shaft, said effective key surface being provided with recesses for the engagement of said tumbler pin means under-portions; said cylinder lock comprises additional bores arranged in said inner and outer cylinders and provided with tumbler pin means; each of said tumbler pin means of said additional bores comprising a tumbler pin under-portion for engaging the effective key surface and a spring-loaded tumbler pin upper-portion associated therewith, said additional bores being arranged in one row; each of said additional bores extending in the direction of the lengthwise axis of said inner cylinder adjacent one another in a third plane; said third plane being inclined with the respect to the first plane of said main bore means; the third plane containing the row of the additional bores of the inner cylinder when the key is inserted in the key-guide means, is inclined relative to such effective key surfaces; said key surface is provided with recesses for engagement with the tumbler pin under-portions of the additional bore row as well as the tumbler pin under-portions of the main bore row of the inner cylinder so that said effective key surface cooperates with the tumbler pin under-portions of said two different bore rows which are arranged in different planes, whereby said third plane of the additional bore row when the key is inserted in the key-guide means, is inclined to the effective key surface for the engagement of its own tumbler pin under-portions, whereby the recesses provided at the effective key surface for the engagement of the tumbler pin under-portions of said additional bore row are inclined to said effective key surface in accordance with the said inclination of the third plane of said additional bore row, and whereby the tumbler pin under-portions of said additional bore row are displaceably mounted for sliding movement independent of each other as well as of the sliding movement of the tumbler pin under-portions of the main bore row.

2. The combination defined in claim 1, wherein said third plane of said row of additional bores extends substantially parallel to the lengthwise axis of said inner cylinder.

3. The combination defined in claim 1, wherein said third plane of said row of additional bores extends, with inserted key, at an angle of about 45 to the effective surface of said key.

4. The combination defined in claim 1, wherein said key is provided with two effective key surfaces, said radial bore means of said inner cylinder being arranged in two axial planes extending substantially perpendicular to said two effective key surfaces when the key is inserted into said key-guide means, said additional bores of said inner cylinder being arranged in two different rows each located in a plane extending at an inclination to a respective one of said effective key surfaces when the key is inserted, said key being provided with additional recesses at both effective key surfaces.

5. The combination as defined in claim 4, wherein each of said planes containing said respective rows of additional bores extends at an angle of about 45 to both of said effective surfaces of the key when the latter is inserted into said cylinder lock.

6. The combination defined in claim 4, wherein each of said planes containing said respective rows of additional bores extends at different angles of inclination to said effective surfaces of the key when the latter is inserted into said cylinder lock.

7. The combination defined in claim 4, wherein said axial planes of said radial bore means are arranged at two diametrically opposed locations of said inner cylinder to define a common horizontal plane for said radial bore means, both of the planes of said additional bores being downwardly inclined with respect to said common horizontal plane.

8. The combination defined in claim 4, wherein said additional bores have their longitudinal axes located in respective planes extending substantially perpendicular to the lengthwise axis of said inner cylinder and offset with respect to such lengthwise axis with regard to said axial planes of said radial bore means.

9. The combination defined in claim 4, wherein said planes of said additional bores define axial planes of said inner cylinder.

10. The combination defined in claim 4, wherein said planes of said additional bores intersect one another along a straight line disposed outside of said lengthwise axis of said inner cylinder.

11. The combination defined in claim 1, wherein the diameter of said additional bores of at least said inner cylinder deviates from the diameter of said radial bore means.

12. The combination defined in claim 1 wherein second additional bores and said first-mentioned additional bores constitute a piurality of rows of bores extending in a direction lengthwise of the axis of said inner cylinder and lying in (planes at right angles to the longitudinal axis of the inner cylinder, said row of said second additional bores lying in planes offset with respect to said row of said first-mentioned additional bores and with respect to the planes of said main bore means.

13. The combination of a cylinder lock and associated key; said cylinder lock comprising an outer cylinder and an inner cylinder rotatable within said outer cylinder; key guide-means, including parallel guide surfaces, located within said inner cylinder; at least a row of main locking pin bores and at least a row of tumbler pin bores in said inner and outer cylinders, respectively, and lying in a first common plane with each locking pine bore being in axial alignment with an associated tumbler pin bore; said first common plane extending perpendicularly to a second plane that is parallel to said parallel guide surfaces of the key-guide means; at least a row of similarly aligned additional locking pin and tumbler pin bores lying in a third common plane which is inclined relative to said second plane and wherein said locking pin bores terminate in a surface of said key-guide means; key means provided with opposed longitudinally extending parallel locking pin engaging surfaces for insertion in said key-guide means; a locking pin disposed in each of said locking pin bores; an inwardly directed spring biased tumbler pin disposed in each of said tumbler pin bores; first groove means located in one of said locking pin engaging surfaces of said key means for cooperation with the locking pins disposed in said main locking pin bores; second groove means in said one locking pin engaging surface of said key means inclined with respect to said one locking pin engaging surface of said key means and disposed so as to cooperate with the locking pins contained in said additional locking pin bores; the other surface of said key means being adapted to be provided with grooves that would correspond with and be symmetrically located with respect to the grooves in said one key means surface so that such grooves in said other key means surface could cooperate with said locking pins.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,303,677 2/1967 Bauer 70-358 FOREIGN PATENTS 373,825 4/1923 Germany. 633,934 8/1936 Germany. 421,715 12/1934 Great Britain. 448,469 3/ 1949 Italy. 260,517 3 1949 Switzerland. 372,947 12/ 1963 Switzerland.

MARVIN A. CHAMPION, Primary Examiner. PERRY TEITELBAUM, Assistant Examiner. 

